Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
Town of Belmont
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
| Contact: | BelmontHistory@gmail.com Belmont Bandstand |
| Address: | PO Box 310 143 Main Street Belmont, NH 03220-0310 |
| Vicki Donovan, Chair (2025) |
Jack Donovan (2025) |
Jillian Rolfe (2026) |
| Claire Bickford, Vice Chair (2024) |
Priscilla Annis, Secretary (2024) | Ben Rolfe (2026) |
| Claude Patten, Jr., Ex Officio (2024) | Victoria Riberio (2025) non-voting member, BHS Student Rep. |
The Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Board of Selectmen for three-year terms. Rules of Procedure
Meetings
Meetings are regularly held on the third Thursday of every month at the Belmont Mill or outside at the Bandstand,
Purpose & Description
The Belmont Heritage Commission was founded by citizens at the 2004 Town Meeting. Under New Hampshire law RSA 674:44-b as a Land Use Board, we promote recognition,
Member Participation
Heritage Commission members are educators both retired and current, parents of Middle School children whose ancestors date far back into Belmont history, a long standing member who in younger years lived in Washington D.C. and shares her historical background, and three members who live in homes dating back to the 1800’s, one most recently restored. And we welcome our second Belmont High School Student Representative Victoria Riberio to our commission consisting of Vicki and Jack Donovan, Priscilla Annis, Claire Bickford, Ben and Jill Rolfe along with Sonny Patten (ex officio) respectively.
Belmont Elementary and Belmont Heritage Commission give goodie bags to Belmont Senior Citizens 11/23/2021
Belmont Heritage Commission recognizes Alvin Nix and Gale School Committee 11/19/2021
Belmont Heritage Community 2020 Awards- Daily Sun 12/14/2020
Belmont Heritage Commission shares coloring books with students. Article submitted to Laconia Daily Sun
Click Here for the Heritage Commission 2019 Annual Report.
Click Here for the Heritage Commission 2018 Annual Report.
Heritage Commission - June, 2016
Bandstand's addition to Register of Historic Places highlights Heritage Fair Winni Echo 5/26/16
Belmont Heritage & Preservation Fair was great first-time effort Daily Sun 6/24/16
Belmont Heritage and Preservation Fair 5/21/16
Belmont's Heritage and Preservation Fair takes place Saturday Citizen 5/20/16
Belmont Heritage Fair on Saturday celebrates town's "Special Places" Sun 5/20/16
Special Belmont places celebrated May 21 at Heritage & Preservation Fair Winni Echo 5/19/16
Belmont Heritage Commission salutes three local initiatives Daily Sun 4/28/16
The Belmont Heritage Commission received yet another commendation for the preservation of the Belmont Bandstand on Monday. From left to right are historic paint specialist John Thompson of JLT Painting in Alexandria, restoration expert J.R. Graton of Northfield, State Sen. Jeanie Forrester, Heritage Commission chair Linda Frawley, Vicki Donovan and Priscilla Annis of the commission, presenter Jennifer Goodman of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance (rear) and Wallace Rhodes of the Belmont Historical Society President.
Belmont Heritage Commission honored for bandstand restoration Winni Echo 10/22/15
Donna Rhodes, Winnisquam Echo Article & Photo
Heritage Series
The Belmont Heritage Commission, John M. Sargent Fund and Friends of the Bandstand are sponsoring several upcoming events at the Village Bandstand.
July 3rd, Red, White & Blues: Jon Lorentz's Soul Revival Band Featuring Miss Sharon "Sugar" Jones
Red, white and blues Citizen 7/2/15
At the May 11, 2009 joint meeting of Selectmen, Planning Board, School District and other municipal committees the Heritage Commission recommended the establishment of an ad hoc committee appointed by the Selectmen for Village Revitalization. The Selectmen, at the request of Heritage Commission representative Cormier, supported that recommendation on May 20, 2009. The Commission’s active support of this important community initiative continues and is reflected in many of the projects and events listed below.
Belmont Mill
The Belmont Mill Story– a Belmont Heritage Commission presented at the March "Community Preservation Workshop” special thanks to Christopher P. Williams, AIA March, 2009
Village Lighting Upgrades
New energy efficient LED lights were turned on outside the Mill, capping more attractive ornamental poles, reminiscent of earlier Village times. Sargent Park lighting was also redesigned for better distribution and conservation, by replacing 1000 watt bulbs with 400 watt illumination. Upgrades included the entrance, complementing recent recreational equipment purchased for Belmont’s youngest citizens. Lighting projects were funded from a $95,100 federal grant successfully sought by the Commission and awarded to the Town in 2010. 2011
Community Heritage Awards
In 2011, the inaugural New Hampshire History Week was ceremonially noted in Belmont with accolades for volunteerism and excellence by the Heritage Commission’s creation of the first annual "Community Heritage Awards” recognizing exemplary initiatives that foster Belmont Heritage.
As Ronald Cormier, Vice Chairman of the Selectmen and representative to the Heritage Commission said, "The people and projects recognized represent hundreds of hours, care and visibility for our heritage. These awards are well-deserved and overdue."
2011 Recipients  |
Belmont Heritage Commission recognizes efforts of many Citizen 10/18/11 BHS sophomore heads first class of Heritage Commission award winners Daily Sun 10/18/11 Belmont residents honored for preserving community's heritage Winni Echo 10/20/11 |
2012 Recipients  |
2012 Belmont Heritage Award Winners Daily Sun 12/5/12
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2013 Recipients  |
Locals Honored for Working to Preserve Belmont's Heritage Winnisquam Echo 10/17/13 |
| 2014 Recipients  |
Belmont Presents Community Heritage Awards Citizen 10/22/14 Community Heritage Awards Heritage Commission News November, 2014 Bailey, Garfield & Lewandoski Honored in Belmont Daily Sun 10/21/14 Three Belmont Residents Recognized With Heritage Awards Winnisquam Echo 10/30/14 |
2015 Recipients |
Belmont Kicks Off History Week Citizen 10/20/15 Community Heritage Awards Presented in Belmont Daily Sun 10/21/15 Belmont Residents Honored by Heritage Commission for Contributions to Community Winnisquam Echo 10/22/15 |
Deck the Village
First coordinated in 2008, this annual Christmas season event brings community members together to creatively decorate and prepare the Village for the Holiday Season. The event includes both indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.
Make a Difference Day
2008 was Belmont's premiere participation in the Nation's largest day of volunteering. This now annual community effort has included planting over 1,500 spring-blooming daffodils in special community places including Sargent Park and at the Library and Veterans' Monument.
Cruisin’ the Village
The first annual Cruisin' the Village event was held in 2011. The day combines classic cars, great food, music, prizes, giveaways, raffles and trophies. Cruisin' Website.
Events
LRPA-TV Presents "Community Heritage Workshop" A Laconia and Belmont Collaboration - 2014
Old Home Day Exhibits - Building awareness of Belmont heritage was a focus, and widespread publicity was generated throughout the year. In addition to exhibits at Old Home Day, the Commission generated generous media attention in Lakes Region and Central NH media, publications- including the Boston Globe and USA Today – recorded our community preservation milestones, awards and activities. Additionally, LRPA-TV again aired several cultural and historical programs, earlier developed by the Commission and produced an original 30-minute Mill feature for "Lakes Region Spotlight” 2012 airings. 2011
Plan NH Charrette 2010
Community Preservation Workshop – co-sponsored with NH Preservation Alliance & NH Division of Historical Resources 2009
NH Humanities Council – lecture UNH professor David Watters 2009
NH Humanities Council – performance John Perrault 2009
Bandstand Centennial - a Day to Remember in Belmont. In 2009 the community celebrated this historic landmark with Councilor Ray Burton commenting that the historic Bandstand "is a reminder of community care and heritage...in its setting near the Tioga River and the Belmont Mill, it remains a symbol of identity and pride in the very fabric of your Town". Executive Councilor Ray Burton
NH Humanities Council – performance storyteller/humorist Rebecca Rule 2008
NH Humanities Council – lecture Dartmouth professor Jere Daniell 2008
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| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Introduction & Update, May 2009 - Progress & Priorities - a presentation to Selectmen, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Shaker Regional School District leadership and others.
